P36631-001 HPE 18TB/45TB LTO-9 SAS Store Ever Ultrium 45000 External Tape Drive

Core product highlights

• Native cartridge capacity: up to 18 TB per LTO-9 cartridge (native).
• Compressed capacity: up to 45 TB per cartridge (assumes industry-standard 2.5:1 compression ratio).
• Interface: enterprise SAS host connectivity designed for high reliability and compatibility with tape libraries and host backup servers.
• Hardware-level encryption: AES-256 support for drive-based encryption of sensitive backups.
• Form factor: half-height (HH) external enclosure for desktop or rack-adjacent placement; can integrate into libraries or stand alone.

Use Cases and Applications

• This external tape drive is ideal for businesses requiring high-capacity backup, disaster recovery, and long-term archiving solutions. It is especially suitable for industries such as healthcare, finance, government, and media production, where secure, reliable, and scalable storage is essential.

Technical specifications and what they mean for buyers

Capacity and compression

LTO-9 dramatically increases per-cartridge storage density compared with prior generations. The P36631-001 is specified for ~18 TB native and approximately 45 TB compressed using the industry standard 2.5:1 compression assumption. That density makes LTO-9 an attractive medium for organizations trying to minimize physical media footprint, whether the goal is on-site vaulting or offsite air-gap archives.

Practical note: actual compression depends entirely on the data profile—highly compressible text/log files will yield gains close to the 2.5:1 assumption, while already compressed multimedia or encrypted content may show little or no compression benefit.

Throughput and performance

The P36631-001 is engineered for steady sequential throughput typical of tape workflows. HPE specifications list a native throughput target in line with enterprise expectations for LTO-9 drives — enabling faster backups and restores when paired with appropriate host and tape library configurations. When planners size backup windows, they should evaluate real-world throughput by measuring their own server-to-tape path (host bus, backup application, file dataset type) rather than relying solely on peak numbers.

Compatibility and Connectivity

With SAS interface support, the HPE P36631-001 integrates seamlessly with existing storage networks and backup infrastructures. The external 5.25-inch half-height form factor ensures flexible installation for IT environments of all sizes. It also supports LTFS (Linear Tape File System), making file storage and retrieval as easy as accessing a standard disk drive.

Interface and connectivity

The drive uses a robust SAS interface that is standard in enterprise tape deployments; SAS provides strong error handling, long cable runs (with appropriate cabling), and interoperability with HBA vendors and library controllers. This SAS connectivity ensures the P36631-001 can be used as a standalone external drive, connected to a backup server, or incorporated into an automated library environment.

Compliance, and data protection features

Hardware encryption (AES-256)

Built-in AES-256 drive encryption helps protect data at rest on cartridges. When enabled and managed correctly, hardware encryption meets many compliance requirements for safeguarding archived data, and reduces exposure if cartridges are lost or compromised during transport.

LTFS and file-level usability

Many HPE LTO drives support LTFS (Linear Tape File System), which lets administrators mount cartridges as file systems and move files to/from tape with a familiar file-level interface. LTFS is valuable for workflows such as long-term media asset storage, interchange of large data sets between organizations, or for archive use cases where direct file access on tape simplifies operations.

Common use cases and vertical markets

Enterprise backup and tape library consolidation

Organizations with large retention windows (years to decades) use LTO-9 tape drives like the P36631-001 to slash the media footprint and lower long-term storage costs. By consolidating older generations onto fewer LTO-9 cartridges, IT teams simplify lifecycle management while preserving a straightforward restore path.

Media & entertainment

Video production and broadcasters often need affordable, long-lived archives for raw footage and masters. LTO-9’s high capacity per cartridge and LTFS support let studios store large media assets reliably and retrieve specific shots without rehydrating entire backups.

Regulated industries (healthcare, finance, government)

Sectors with strict retention and audit requirements use tape to create immutable, offline copies of records and logs. The P36631-001’s encryption and robust media lifecycle controls help meet legal and regulatory obligations while keeping recurring costs predictable.

Cold storage and long-term retention

For datasets that are rarely accessed (cold data), tapes offer a very low total cost of ownership compared to spinning disks or cloud archival tiers for long retention periods — especially when organizations prefer physical control or have bandwidth constraints for cloud restores.

Compatibility and migration planning

Backward/forward interoperability considerations

LTO has a well-established roadmap and backward compatibility conventions (for example, read-backwards support for a limited number of prior generations). When planning upgrades, validate that your backup software, library firmware, and HBA drivers are on vendor-recommended versions to ensure seamless reads/writes and correct support for features like encryption and LTFS.

Interoperability with backup software and libraries

Most major backup and archive applications support HPE LTO drives; however, confirmed interoperability is essential. When integrating the P36631-001 into an existing environment, consult the backup vendor’s HCL (hardware compatibility list) and HPE’s published guidance to ensure optimal operation and vendor-supported configurations.

Operational best practices and maintenance

Media handling and environmental recommendations

Proper media handling extends the life of both drives and cartridges. Store cartridges in climate-controlled conditions, avoid magnetic fields, label cartridges clearly, and follow recommended cleaning intervals. Use genuine HPE-qualified media to minimize risks related to wear or cartridge compatibility.

Cleaning and preventive maintenance

Regular scheduled cleaning with manufacturer-recommended cleaning cartridges keeps heads and mechanical components free from debris and ensures consistent read/write performance. Maintain logs of cleaning activity and any errors flagged by drive diagnostics.

Monitoring and diagnostics

Use the drive’s built-in SMART/health reporting (and library management software where applicable) to proactively monitor error counts, read/write retries, and other indicators. Timely attention to warnings prevents data loss and costly emergency restores.

Accessories, spare parts and procurement considerations

Cartridges and labels

When procuring media, select cartridges that meet LTO-9 specifications and, if needed, support WORM (write once read many) or encryption markers. Durable barcode labels and a reliable inventory system reduce human errors during rotation and retrieval.

Cables, trays, and mounting hardware

Verify you have the correct mini-SAS or SAS cable assemblies and, if installing into racks or libraries, the necessary trays and mounting hardware. Vendors sometimes ship with a minimal accessory set; confirm what is included with the unit at purchase.

Content snippets for related product cards (ready to use)

Short card (30–70 characters)

HPE P36631-001 LTO-9 External Tape Drive — 18TB native / 45TB compressed.

Medium card (100–160 characters)

HPE Store Ever P36631-001 LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 external SAS tape drive. 18TB native, 45TB compressed, AES-256 encryption, ideal for archive & backup.

Long card (meta description approx. 160–320 characters)

Deploy the HPE Store Ever LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 (P36631-001) external SAS tape drive for scalable, secure backups and long-term retention. Benefit from up to 18 TB native per cartridge, industry-leading encryption and broad compatibility with enterprise backup ecosystems.